Public Statements

Rep. Lipinski Joins Blue Dog Coalition to Fight for Fiscal Discipline

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced today that he is the newest member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally responsible House Democrats committed to promoting commonsense, moderate policies that keep America strong. In accepting Rep. Lipinski into their ranks, his fellow Blue Dog members noted the congressman's work in bringing people together to solve problems and his leadership in fighting for fiscal discipline in Washington.

"The federal government has built up an unacceptable level of debt and faces an even worse debt problem in the future if we do not change current policies. I have pursued a sensible, responsible approach to fixing our budget problems and bringing our skyrocketing debt under control. I am excited to join the Blue Dog Coalition in order to help me expand on those efforts," Rep. Lipinski said. "In the coming weeks, we are facing tough decisions in Congress regarding the sequestration budget cuts, the possibility of a federal government shutdown at the end of March, and the debt ceiling. I am eager to work with my fellow Blue Dogs to tackle these important issues."

Rep. Lipinski has been a champion of fiscal discipline and responsibility in Congress. Last year, he was one of a bipartisan group of nine members who brought to the House floor a budget based on the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Commission. This budget would have reduced the national debt by $4 trillion over 10 years through spending cuts and new revenue. Rep. Lipinski recently was named by the nonpartisan grassroots No Labels organization as one of the congressional Problem Solvers charged with making Congress work again on behalf of the American people.

"Never have America's problems looks so big, and Congress looked so small. I'm glad to welcome Congressman Lipinski to the Blue Dogs," said U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN). "We need more thoughtful members like him who are willing to work across the aisle for the good of the country."

"The Blue Dogs are proud to welcome into their ranks Dan Lipinski, who is a well-respected, hardworking and fiscally responsible member of Congress," said U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR). "Dan will add an even stronger voice to the Blue Dogs as we find bipartisan, commonsense solutions to help fix the ongoing fiscal crisis in Washington. Just as we have done since our inception, the Blue Dog Coalition will continue to represent political moderates across this nation and we stand ready and willing to work with whoever it takes to get the job done."